Methods and Systems for Community-Based Content Aggregation

A computer-implemented method for managing users of a community-based content aggregation environment, the method comprising:

• creating, by a processor device executing code stored on a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium, a user profile for a user providing a registration request;
• assigning, by the processor device executing code, a first user level to the user, the first user level corresponding to access to a first set of community tools;
• detecting, by the processor device executing code, user activity;
• determining, by the processor device executing code, points to award to the user based on the user activity;
• storing, by the processor device executing code, the points in the user profile;
• determining, by the processor device executing code, that points in the user profile exceed a pre-set threshold;
• and
• modifying, by the processor device executing code, the first user level to a second user level based on determining that points in the user profile exceed the pre-set threshold, the second user level allowing the user to access the first set of community tools and a second set of community tools.

A community-based content aggregation system, the system comprising:

• a processor-based device comprising a community engine stored on a non-transitory computer-readable medium and executable by a processor, the community engine being adapted to:
• create a first user profile for first user and a second user profile for a second user, each of the first user profile and second user profile comprising a first user level, the first user level allowing the first user and the second user to access a first set of community tools;
• receive an element from the first user, the element comprising content related to a community topic;
• receive approval of the element from a moderator, wherein the approval comprises an instruction to include the element in the community-based content aggregation system;
• receive element attributes associated with the element, the element attributes comprising a comment from the second user, a rating, and a label identifying a sub-topic of the community topic;
• determine points to award to the first user based on the stored element;
• and
• determine points to award to the second user based on the comment.

A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium on which program code is stored for providing a community-based content environment, the non-transitory computer-readable storage medium comprising:

• program code for creating a first user profile for first user and a second user profile for a second user, each of the first user profile and second user profile comprising a first user level, the first user level allowing the first user and the second user to access a first set of community tools;
• program code for receiving an element from the first user, the element comprising content related to a community topic;
• program code for receiving approval of the element from a moderator, wherein the approval comprises an instruction to include the element in the community-based content aggregation system;
• program code for receiving element attributes associated with the element, the element attributes comprising a comment from the second user, a rating, and a label identifying a sub-topic of the community topic;
• program code for determining points to award to the first user based on the stored element;
• and
• program code for determining points to award to the second user based on the comment.